Molly held her breath, waiting on the response from Mr. and Mrs. Kerstman. A part of her was pleased with Nicholas telling everyone here at the dinner table. She hoped that it meant that she’d get her answer about the future of Christmas Wishes by tonight.
Because she was hoping that the Kerstmans would reject Nicholas’ suggestion outright.
Mrs. Kerstman was the first one to break the silence in the room. “Well, I always dreamed of Christmas Wishes being a family shop... something we passed down from generation to generation...”
Molly's hopes lifted. Maybe the store wouldn't be sold after all...
Mrs. Kerstman then sighed before she continued on with her thoughts. “Well, you’re the businessman in the family now, Nicholas. If you think you wouldn’t be able to run the shop after we’ve retired, then you should do what’s best. I’d rather have Christmas Wishes still up and running than ever see it have to close its doors.”
“I completely agree with your mother, Nicholas. If you really believe that you wouldn’t be able to keep up with the shop and your business in Manhattan...” Mr. Kerstman frowned and took a deep breath. “Then you do whatever you have to do. We trust you, son. We trust you.”
Molly's heart sank. The store was still going to be put up for sale. She stabbed her turkey but didn't eat it.
Nicholas gave both of his parents a smile. “Thank you. That makes me feel so much better.” He then breathed out a quiet sigh. “I actually have some investors coming to look at the shop tomorrow, if you two wanted to be there for that—”
“Wait, I’m sorry, tomorrow?” Molly broke into the conversation, her confusion evident in her tone. “On Christmas Eve?”
“Christmas Eve is just another day on the work calendar, Ms. Molly,” Nicholas replied, but he didn't meet her eyes before turning his focus back to his parents. “Now, as I was saying...”
Molly wasn't hungry any more. Purpose and determination filled her. If the Kerstmans weren't going to say no, the
n it was up to her to save the store. She needed to ramp up her plans. It was time to save Christmas Wishes.
“Excuse me. I'm so sorry, but I have to go,” Molly announced. She rose up from the table, offering everyone seated a curt wave goodbye as she went for her coat. “I’m sorry to run like this, Mrs. Kerstman, but I need to go work on something right away.”
Mrs. Kerstman shrugged, but she was fairly used to Molly running off for all sorts of school projects and town events.
“It’s fine, dear. We’ll see you soon enough,”she told her.
“And we’ll see you at our house tomorrow,” Mr. Carmichael reminded Molly. “If I don’t see my daughter on Christmas Eve, I’m going to riot.”
“He’ll do it, too, I’ve seen a few of his one-man riots in my day. Awful, awful stuff,” Mrs. Carmichael said, gravely shaking her head. She grinned up at her daughter. “Be safe, sweetie, with whatever you’re doing. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Molly began to rush away from the table before she hastily stepped back into the room. “Right. Sorry. Do you guys have any takeaway plates?”
“We have some in the den,” Mrs. Kerstman told her, motioning in that direction.
“Okay. I’m gonna’ make a takeaway plate for Hannah, and then I’m gonna’ go,” Molly said aloud, more to herself than the others. She raced back and forth between the den and the dining room, stuffing a takeaway plate full of various, delicious things.
And then she was out the door to save Christmas Wishes and the spirit of Christmas with it.
Chapter 24
Molly
“Molly! Molly! Wait!” Nicholas called out, running out the door behind Molly to try and catch with her. “Wait!”
Molly turned towards Nicholas on the sidewalk, the takeaway plate held in her hands. “Yeah, Nicholas? Is something wrong?”
“Don’t be mad at me,” he whispered. He breathed hard in the cold night air, creating tiny clouds with every breath. He didn't have a jacket on despite it being freezing out. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you about the investors. Please, come back inside and—”
“Nicholas, I didn’t leave because I was upset with you.” Molly smiled gently. She reached her free hand out to touch his shoulder. “I left because I need to work on my case for you not selling the rights to the store.”
“Work on your case?” Nicholas repeated, confused.
“Yeah, you told me that you would give me the same chance that you gave the investors,” she reminded him “They’d get a chance to try to convince you to sell the store. I’d get a chance to show you all the reasons you shouldn’t.”
“Right. I did say that,” Nicholas agreed. “So you’re going to pull something together tonight? To convince me not to sell the store?”